Hey! Just wanted to write a quick post on these two powder foundations because I'd seen so many blog posts and YouTube videos comparing the two that I just had to pick them both up and compare them myself.
Greetings fellow Divas! I am new to the board and have been an avid MAC wearer for the past 5 years. I love studio fix (NW43) it gives me awesome coverage and the illusion of a flawless complexion! Try Maybelline Master Fix Setting + Perfecting Powder in place of Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder and save about $27. Sephora / Drugstore.com Get Maybelline Master Fix powder here. So NW58 is the darkest powder shade of the studio fix line. Im not sure if they have any other compact powders available but that is the only one I know of. I hit the pan of my studio fix a few months back and I was dreading spending $250 for a face powder since it was the only powder I ever bought that fit me perfectly - until yesterday. LOVE LOCAL: Dupe For MAC Studio Fix Powder; FS Cosmetics Two-Way Cake Foundation by ・ NEKONEKOBIT ・ - Monday, May 16, 2016 Ever since I tried MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation back in college I promised myself not to switch.
Of course I'm talking about the MAC Studio Fix powder foundation compared to the NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat powder foundation.
Firstly, the shade; I couldn't find an exact match for the MAC NC15, but 04 Creamy Natural seemed to be the closest colour match for me, so that's the one I picked up.
Now before I go on, I want to point out something else. The price.
MAC studio fix retails at €31.50 for 15g, whereas NYX Stay Matte Put Not Flat retails at €14.00 for 7.5g... So, in my opinion, claims that this is a dupe for MAC for half the price are a a bit misleading due to the fact that you only get half the amount of product too.
MAC Studio Fix is very mattifying and looks smooth on the skin, when applied with a stippling brush in buffing motions it makes the skin looked almost airbrushed. It also doesn't accentuate dry patches as much as it could, being a powder foundation, or as much as the Urban Decay Naked Skin powder foundation does.
The name itself 'Stay Matte But Not Flat' already gives you a an idea of the finish. It's not even close to being as matte as its MAC counterpart. It will mattify your skin if applied over a liquid foundation, but it definitely requires more touch ups throughout the day if you prefer a matte finish.
Apart from that, I think you can see for yourself the difference between the textures of the products themselves. This one doesn't feel too different one the finger, but when applied to the face with a sponge/brush it looks quite powdery compared to the MAC one and requires more work to get a good even coverage with, particularly when used as alone as opposed to over a liquid foundation.
Left: MAC Studio Fix NC15/ Right: NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat 04 Creamy Natural
The packaging is probably a big part of what makes this a dupe. They both come with a mirror, and the compacts lift up to reveal a sponge underneath for application or touch ups.
So to summarise:
Mac Studio Fix Color Chart
MAC Studio Fix is €31.50 for 15g and looks and feels smooth and flawless on the skin and stays very matte for hours.
NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat is €14.00 for 7.5g and requires more work to get looking smooth rather than powdery, and looks quite dewy after a couple of hours.
Do I think this is a true dupe? The simple answer is no.
I feel like there are too many differences in the formulas for this to be rightfully called a dupe!
Don't get me wrong, the NYX one is grand for everyday wear or if you're in a rush to get out the door, but apart from the packaging, I can't see any other similarities, and it works out very little cheaper than its MAC counterpart in the long run.
Mac Studio Fix Fluid
Have you tried these two products? Do you think they're comparable or do you prefer one over the other? Let me know :)
Mac Studio Fix Foundation Dupe